ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Union Minister for Environment & Forest and Climate Change to Pay a Visit at Central National Herbarium, A J C Bose Indian Botanic Garden Tomorrow Morning & Inaugurate Aquatic Plant Section
Kolkata, June 30, 2022
The Union Minister for Environment & Forest and Climate Shri Bhupendar Yadav will visit the Central National Herbarium, A J C Bose Indian Botanic Garden tomorrow morning and inaugurate the Aquatic Plant Section of the garden. He will be accompanied by the Union Minister of State for Environment & Forest and Climate Change, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey. This was stated by Dr S S Dash, In-charge, Technical Wing, Botanical Survey of India  today in a press conference. He also enumerated the books to be released formally by the Union Minister tomorrow during the later part of the day like Plant Discoveries 2021, Flora of India, Vol.-9, Algal Flora of Jharkhand and Wild Orchids of Goa.
It is to be mentioned in this regard, that the research scholars and academicians have produced an overwhelming addition of 315 taxa to Indian flora during 2021, either discovered as novel species or as new distributional records. As per the current estimates, India has more than 55000 species of plants already identified and documented.
This year’s discoveries include wild relatives of many potential horticultural, agricultural, medicinal and ornamental plants stated Dr Dash.
Dr R K Gupta, an expert on algae described, how with lots of impediments he has documented 744 taxa belonging to 166 genera of Jharkhand and his specialisation on blue-green algae, Spirulina and their discoveries in four thermal springs of the Jharkhand State.
Dr Jeevan Singh Jalal spoke about the 1256 orchid species of India and their horticultural and medicinal values and pointed out that out of the 4,000 sq km area of Goa, 1000 sq km is potential enough for orchid cultivation. He elaborated on the 67 species including 28 endemic species of Orchids documented from Goa.
Dr Devendra Singh spoke on the Shibpur Botanical Garden  the living repository of 15,000 plants and how the scientists are working to restructure the Garden after the 2020 Amphan super-cyclone destroyed some 2,000 plants and how the grand Banyan tree have cordoned to save it from being exploited and the introduction of tea, coffee and mahogany section in the garden.
Last, but not the least, Dr Dinesh Agrawala  deliberated upon how the discoveries and documentations are preserved in the form of publications-a hard copy.
President's Secretariat
Envoys of four Nations Present Credentials to President of India
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind accepted credentials from High Commissioner of United Republic of Tanzania and Ambassadors of Republic of Djibouti, Republic of Serbia and Republic of North Macedonia at Rashtrapati Bhavan today . Those who presented their credentials were:
1. H.E. Ms. Anisa K. Mbega, High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania
2. H.E. Mr. Isse Abdillahi Assoweh, Ambassador of the Republic of Djibouti
3. H.E. Mr. Sinisa Pavic, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia
4. H.E. Mr. Slobodan Uzunov, Ambassador of the Republic of North Macedonia
Following presentation of credentials, the President interacted with the four envoys separately. He congratulated them on their appointments and highlighted the warm and friendly relations that India shared with the countries and the multifaceted relationship that India enjoyed with each of them. The President also wished them success in strengthening of bilateral ties and for their well-being and progress and prosperity of the friendly people.
Through the High Commissioner and the Ambassadors, the President also conveyed his personal regards to their leaderships. Envoys present at the event reiterated their commitment to work closely to strengthen their ties with India.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
MSP operation during Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21
Paddy procurement in current season exceeds by 22.43% than in the previous season
States/UTs making arrangements for commencement of procurement from the date as decided by them in respect of Kharif Pulses and Oilseeds
Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at its MSP from farmers as per its existing MSP Schemes, as was done in previous seasons.
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Paddy procurement for Kharif 2020-21 is progressing at a fast pace in the procuring States/UTs ofPunjab, Haryana, UP, TN, Uttarakhand, Chandigarh, J&K and Kerala with purchase of over 98.19 Lac MT of paddy upto 19.10.2020 from 8.54 lac farmers valuing Rs 18539.86 crore at MSP rate of Rs 18880 per MT. Paddy Procurement during corresponding period of KMS 2019-20 was 80.20 LMT.Therefore procurement in current season exceeds by 22.43% than the previous season.
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Further, based on the proposal from the States, approval was accorded for procurement of 42.46 LMT of Pulse and Oilseeds of Kharif Marketing Season 2020 for the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh under Price Support Scheme. Further, sanction for procurement of 1.23 LMT of Copra  for the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala was also given. For other States/UTs, approval will also be accorded on receipt of proposals for procurement of Pulses, Oilseeds and Copra under PSS so that procurement of FAQ grade of these crops can be made at notified MSP for the year 2020-21 directly from the registered farmers, if the market rate goes below MSP during the notified harvesting period in the respective States/UTs by the Central Nodal Agencies through State nominated procuring agencies.
Upto 19.10.2020, the Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured 806.11 MT of Moong and Urad having MSP value of Rs. 5.80 Crores benefitting 779 farmers in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Haryana. Similarly, 5089 MT of copra  having MSP value of Rs. 52.40 crore has been procured benefitting 3961 farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. In respect of Copra and Urad, rates are ruling above MSP in most of the major producing States. The respective State/UTs Governments are making necessary arrangements for commencement of procurement from the date as decided by the respective States based on the arrivals in respect of Kharif Pulses and Oilseeds.
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Cotton procurement operations under MSP are going on smoothly in Northern States viz. Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan. Till 19.10.2020, a quantity of 200512 cotton bales valuing Rs.56590.51 lakh has been procured from 40196 farmers.
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Ministry of Finance
G20 International Financial Architecture Working Group Meeting January 30-31, 2023 Chandigarh
1. The first G20 International Financial Architecture Working Group meeting underthe G20 Indian Presidency will be held on 30-31 January 2023 in Chandigarh.
2. The International Financial Architecture Working Group is one of the important workstreams under the G20 Finance Track with a focus on strengthening theinternational financial architecture.It also aims to address multiple challenges faced by vulnerable countries.
3. Approximately, 100 delegatesfrom across the G20 membership, Invitee Countries, and International Organizations will be arriving in Chandigarh to participate in the two-day meeting.
4. The meeting will be inaugurated by Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, and Hon'ble Minister of Food Processing Industries, ShriPashupati Kumar Paras. The discussions during the two-day meeting will be jointly steered by the Ministry of Finance and the Reserve Bank of India along with France and Korea who are the Co-chairs of the International Financial Architecture Working Group.
5. The meeting will discuss ways to enhance the stability and cohesion of the international financial architecture and how to make it fit for addressing the global challenges of the 21stcentury. The meeting will also focus onexploring ways to provide maximum support to poor and vulnerable countries.
6. On the sidelines of this meeting, on 30 January 2023, a G20 side event titled ‘Central Bank Digital Currencies : Opportunities and Challenges’ will also be held. The event is aimed at sharing country experiences and developing a deeper understanding of the macroprudential implications of CBDCs.
7. In the run-up to this meeting, a number of events have been held across the city of Chandigarh,for increasing ‘Jan-Bhagidari’ and generating interest in the G20 events under the Indian Presidency. A seminar on “Central Bank Digital Currencies: The Indian Story” was also held on January 25, 2023 in Chandigarh. These events are aimed at creating awareness of the G20 Indian Presidency in 2023 and its theme “VasudhaivaKutumbakam” or “One Earth - One Family - One Future”.
8. During the course of India’s G20 Presidency, this Working Group will meet again in March, June, and September to continue discussions on the priorities set under the Indian Presidency.
9. Discussions from the International Financial Architecture Working Group meeting will further inform the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors  on the key deliberations on related prioritiesunder India’s G20 Finance Track.The first meeting of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors is scheduled to be held on 24-25 February 2023 in Bengaluru.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on Technology and Research Solutions
Government has launched Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission , a nationwide mission to digitize healthcare in the country
ABDM aims to build a national digital health ecosystem
With the attention to a clear need to implement and use technology and research solutions in the health ecosystem, to provide data-based information and to make informed decisions, the Government has launched a nationwide mission to digitize healthcare in the country, namely Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission . ABDM aims to build the required digital infrastructure in the country to build a national digital health ecosystem. It is built on key design principles such as inclusivity, voluntary participation, wellness and citizen centric, security and privacy, and technological principles such as an open Application Programming Interface  based ecosystem, seamless interoperability, open standards, federated architecture etc.
Indian Council of Medical Research  has developed technology-based solutions for many programs of the ICMR. These solutions provide necessary information to various stakeholders. Some of the prominent solutions include the ICMR National COVID-19 Testing portal, COVID-19 Data Analytics Portal, citizen-centric COVID-19 report generation portal, and Cancer Registry, etc
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has taken up various initiatives using Information & Communication Technologies  for improving efficiency & effectiveness of the public healthcare system which may be accessed at the following website link:https://main.mohfw.gov.in/Organisation/departments-health-and-family-welfare/e-Health-Telemedicine
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Exemption for Local People at NH Toll Plazas
National Highways Authority of India  has identified approximately 60 high traffic fee plazas. Strategies are being developed to monitor these fee plazas in view of cent per cent Electronic Toll Collection  mandated w.e.f. 15.12.2019. As on 03.12.2019, a total of 82.55 Lakh FASTags have been issued.
As per sub-rule 4 of Rule 3 of the National Highways Fee  Rules, 2008, “No fee shall be levied for the use of the section of national highway, permanent bridge, bypass or tunnel, as the case may be, by two wheelers, three wheelers, tractors, combine harvesters and animal drawn vehicles. Provided the three wheeler, tractors, combine harvesters and animal-drawn vehicles shall not be allowed to use the section of national highway, permanent bridge, bypass or tunnel, as the case may be, where a service road or alternative road is available in lieu of the said national highway, permanent bridge, bypass or tunnel. Provided further that where service road or alternative road is available and the owner, driver or the person in charge of a two wheeler is making use of the section of national highway, permanent bridge, bypass or tunnel, as the case may be, he or she shall be charged fifty per cent of the fee levied on a car.”
This information was given by the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh flags-in climb-a-thon organised as part of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’
Key Highlights:
- Climb-a-thon held at four smaller peaks of Sikkim Himalayas by a team of Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling
- 7,500 sq ft National Flag hoisted at Mt Rhenock
- Recorded as biggest Indian National Flag atop a mountain in Asia Book of Records & India Book of Records
- Flag planned to be displayed at different locations across the country
- Team also performs world record 75-hour nonstop Surya Namaskar 2.51 lakh times at the institute
- RM lauds the institute for promoting patriotism through adventure among the youth
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh flagged-in a climb-a-thon organised by Himalayan Mountaineering Institute , Darjeeling to celebrate ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, in New Delhi on August 17, 2021. The climb-a-thon was organised at four smaller peaks of Sikkim Himalayas from April 20-25, 2021. The climb-a-thon, under the leadership of Group Captain Jai Kishan, was conducted at Mt Rhenock, Mt Frey, Mt BC Roy and Mt Palung, by a team of 125 mountaineers.
The National Flag, measuring 7,500 sq ft and weighing 75 kilograms, was hoisted atop Mt Rhenock at an altitude of 16,500 ft above sea level. The point where the National Flag was hoisted has been named after first freedom fighter from Sikkim, Trilochan Pokhrel, fondly remembered as Gandhi Pokhrel. The feat was recorded as the biggest Indian National Flag hoisted atop a mountain in the Asia Book of Records and India Book of Records. The team also performed a world record 75-hour nonstop Surya Namaskar 2.51 lakh times at HMI, Darjeeling.
Appreciating HMI for this unique initiative, Shri Rajnath Singh stated that such events will promote patriotism through adventure among the youth. He conveyed his best wishes to the team and released the certificates of participation for the team.
Group Captain Jai Kishan presented the replica of the Indian Flag to the Raksha Mantri. Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar and other senior officials of Ministry of Defence were also present on the occasion.
The National Flag is planned to be displayed at different locations across the country, including Statue of Unity in Gujarat on October 31, 2021; National War Memorial/South Block in New Delhi on December 16, 2021 on the occasion of Swarnim Vijay Diwas; Lal Chowk in Srinagar on August 15, 2022; Andaman & Nicobar Islands on March 23, 2022 and Kanyakumari. In addition, the team plans to display the Indian Flag over highest peak of South Pole in January 2022.
ABB/Nampi/DK/Savvy
(Visitor Counter : 1827
Ministry of Finance
Income Tax Department conducts searches in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
The Income Tax Department carried out search and seizure operations on 10.11.2021 on three different groups at 30 different premises in Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam. These groups are mainly engaged in real estate business of development of residential plots and construction of apartments.
During the search operation, various incriminating evidences such as digital evidence, hand written books, loose sheets containing undisclosed cash transactions were found and seized. The analysis of this evidence reveals that expenses have been inflated through bogus claims, to suppress taxable income. It was also detected that the groups had resorted to making transactions in cash which have not been reflected in the books of accounts.
So far, unaccounted cash of Rs. 1.20 crore and jewellery valued at Rs. 90 lakh have been seized. Prohibitory orders have been placed on 9 bank lockers. Overall, the search operation has resulted in the detection of undisclosed income to the tune of about Rs.75 crore.
Further investigations are in progress.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Orphanages in Maharashtra
The Ministry releases funds to State of Maharashtra under the scheme ‘Child Protection Services’ . The details of funds released under CPS for institutional care , non-institutional care and service delivery set up is as follows:

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2014-15
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2015-16
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2016-17
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2017-18
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2018-19
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762.32
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3138.75
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2272.33
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608.15
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3156.52
As per the information provided by Central Adoption Resource Authority , the number of Specialised Adoption Agencies district-wise along with number of inmates living therein in Maharashtra, is given below:
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|
S. No.
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|
Name of district
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|
Number of SAA
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|
Number of Children in SAA
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|
1
|
|
Ahmednagar
|
|
2
|
|
37
|
|
2
|
|
Akola
|
|
1
|
|
31
|
|
3
|
|
Amravati
|
|
2
|
|
28
|
|
4
|
|
Aurangabad
|
|
2
|
|
36
|
|
5
|
|
Bhandara
|
|
1
|
|
8
|
|
6
|
|
Buldhana
|
|
2
|
|
15
|
|
7
|
|
Chandrapur
|
|
1
|
|
15
|
|
8
|
|
Dhule
|
|
1
|
|
9
|
|
9
|
|
Jalgaon
|
|
1
|
|
13
|
|
10
|
|
Jalna
|
|
1
|
|
14
|
|
11
|
|
Kolhapur
|
|
2
|
|
19
|
|
12
|
|
Latur
|
|
4
|
|
16
|
|
13
|
|
Mumbai
|
|
11
|
|
200
|
|
14
|
|
Nagpur
|
|
8
|
|
45
|
|
15
|
|
Nanded
|
|
3
|
|
55
|
|
16
|
|
Nasik
|
|
1
|
|
46
|
|
17
|
|
Parbhani
|
|
1
|
|
19
|
|
18
|
|
Pune
|
|
7
|
|
142
|
|
19
|
|
Raigarh
|
|
1
|
|
4
|
|
20
|
|
Ratnagiri
|
|
2
|
|
10
|
|
21
|
|
Sangli
|
|
2
|
|
33
|
|
22
|
|
Satara
|
|
1
|
|
16
|
|
23
|
|
Sholapur
|
|
2
|
|
44
|
|
24
|
|
Thane
|
|
2
|
|
108
|
|
25
|
|
Wardha
|
|
2
|
|
14
|
|
Total
|
|
63
|
|
977
This information was given by the Minister of Women and Child Development, Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM to address programme marking Vigilance Awareness Week on 3rd November
PM to launch new Complaint Management System portal of CVC
Portal to provide end to end information to citizens through regular updates on the status of their complaints
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will address programme marking Vigilance Awareness Week of Central Vigilance Commission  on 3rd November at 11 AM in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
On the occasion, Prime Minister will launch the new Complaint Management System portal of the CVC. The portal is envisioned to provide end to end information to the citizens through regular updates on the status of their complaints. He will also release a series of pictorial booklets on “Ethics and Good Practices”; Compilation of best practices on “Preventive Vigilance” and Special issue “VIGEYE-VANI” on public procurement.
CVC observes Vigilance Awareness Week every year to bring together all stakeholders in spreading the message of integrity in all spheres of life. This year, It is being observed from 31st October to 6th November with the following theme “Corruption free India for a developed nation”. Prime Minister will also award prizes to five students who wrote best essays during a nationwide essay competition conducted by CVC on the above theme of Vigilance Awareness Week.
Prime Minister's Office
PM to visit Mizoram and Meghalaya tomorrow; will inaugurate various development projects
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, will visit Mizoram and Meghalaya tomorrow where he will inaugurate various development projects.
“The enchanting and effervescent Northeast calls! Looking forward to visiting Mizoram and Meghalaya tomorrow, where various development projects will be inaugurated. These projects will add impetus to the development journey of the Northeast.
It is my privilege to be dedicating the Tuirial Hydropower Project to the nation at tomorrow’s programme in Aizawl. The completion of this project is a boon for the people of Mizoram.
Giving wings to our Yuva Shakti, DoNER has set up a Rs. 100 crore Northeast Venture Capital Fund. Tomorrow I will be distributing cheques to entrepreneurs from this fund. A spirit of enterprise among the Northeast’s youth augurs well for the empowerment of the region.
In Shillong I will inaugurate the Shillong-Nongstoin-Rongjeng-Tura Road. This project will improve connectivity and further economic growth. I will also address a public meeting.
We see immense potential in the Northeast and are committed to doing everything for the region’s overall progress”, the Prime Minister said.
Ministry of Finance
GST Revenue collection for August 2018 close to ninety-four thousand crore rupees
The total gross GST revenue collected in the month of August, 2018 is Rs. 93,960crore of which CGST is Rs. 15,303 crore, SGST is Rs. 21,154 crore, IGST is Rs. 49,876 crore  and Cess is Rs. 7,628 crore . The total number of GSTR 3B Returns filed for the month of July up to 31st August, 2018 is 67 lakh. This is slightly higher than 66 lakh returns of the month of June filed up to 31st July, 2018. The last date of filing return of July, 2018 in the State of Kerala was extended upto 5th October, 2018.
The total revenue earned by Central Government and the State Governments after settlement including provisional settlement of Rs. 12,000 crore in the month of August, 2018 is Rs. 36,963 crore for CGST and Rs. 41,136 crore for the SGST. For the bi-monthly period June-July, 2018, compensation of Rs. 14,930 crore has been released to the States.
The revenues collected in August, 2018 of Rs. 93,960 crore is slightly lower than July, 2018 collection of Rs. 96,483 crore, and June, 2018 collection of Rs. 95,610 crore. The chart shows trends in revenue during the current year.
One of the main factors for the dip in tax revenues is probable postponement of sale of items for which tax rate was reduced by the Council as the decision to reduce the tax rate was taken in meeting held on 21st July while the notification of the reduced rate came into effect only from 27th July, 2018. Since it would have taken some time for the market to pass on the benefit of reduced taxes, consumers would have postponed their decision to buy expecting the benefit. The actual impact of reduction of rate of taxes would be observed only from next month onwards as the rate reduction would have got affected only in last few days of the month.
Even past trend of indirect tax collection shows that while July collections are 8.2% of the total annual collections, August collections are at a lower level of 7.7% of the total annual collections. This is another reason for lower collections during the month of August as compared to that in July.